npwomen

To whom do I address a question about using this message board? Q&A does not answer my question.

TwinsMama, Duh....thanks for reminding me of the obvious way to get an answer to a tech question. My computer "savvy" must have been taking a nap.

You are beautiful before and after but, I'm sure you are happier and more comfortable now.

It was important to me to choose a doc who had many years of bariatric, laparoscopic surgery experience. Don't be too impressed with the representatives that tell you their surgeon has done 1500 or 2000 or 5000 sleeves. Numbers are easy to throw around. Rather, ask how old the surgeon is, what year he started to do laparoscopic procedures, what year he started doing bariatric surgery, what bariatric procedurers does he do, when did he start doing sleeves who (what doctor) assists him in the operating room. Keep in mind that the more experienced doctors will probably charge a bit more but your future is on the line. Good luck.

You're just two weeks out from major surgery. Don't try to rush it... Give yourself a little more time to recoup and enjoy the break. Congratulations on your new start.

I would. Don't know where you're staying but have mostly found hotel outlets inconvenient to the bedside so if you want to charge your cell next to the bed or use a heating pad it's best to tuck a power strip or extension cord into your bag.

I'm in The Woodlands. Had conversion to sleeve on May 13, 2013. Have embraced a whole new attitude related to food that i've never accomplished before. Would love have a support group in the north Houston area; If you are interested please let me know by PM and we can get one going. OR, perhaps you know of one that is already ongoing, If so please let me know. Lucille

UK Cathy, thanks for that fantastic weight chart. It's very realistic and encouraging to see goals for "real women"

{And as far as being rebuilt. GO to Mexico. That's where I am going and I will be rebuilt from the weight loss surgery to the tummy and boobs and arms and legs for under 12K} I'll be ready for some remodeling next spring and would like to find an excellent plastic surgeon and recovery center in Mexico. It sounds like you have already done some research on this. I hope you will share your findings with us. If you don't want to "go public" feel free to private message me.

Hi Bea, By now you have had a successful surgery and are recovering nicely. Had my band- to-sleeve revision in TJ (Dr. Ortiz) 5/13/13 and was very pleased with the experience. I just returned from accompanying a friend who had her sleeve done at Mi Doctor--also very successful. I live in Houston and would love to have a band sister. Will send a private email on that. Keep us posted on your experience and don't forget to rest well. Lucille

Dr. Dexter Turnquest in Spring is a very caring physician that will do a revision for you.

We are honey, we are. You need to simmer down a tad and take a little time to grow up.

This is an exciting time for you. Have you met any resistance related to your age? Please check your private Verticalsleevetalk mail. I'm going to write you a personal email.

Yes, I am female, 72 and 6 weeks out from conversion surgery-band to sleeve. Feel great and have had no problems.

Thank you Ruthie, that quote 'hit the spot' for me; going to post it on my fridge this morning. I'm only 5 1/2 weeks out and it's apparent that my body prefers to crawl when it comes to weight loss. When I read of others' phenomenal rate of loss I feel so disappointed. My head knows that since i'm following the rules the weight will eventually come off but, my heart really wants to be one of those super losers. As of yesterday I finally lost my first 10 lbs, then this morning the scale was up a lb. Oh well, crawling forward......

Dr. Ortiz at Obesity Control Center (OCC) in Tijuana. Great experience! $5500-6000. If you are truly committed and follow the after surgery eating rules you will most likely not need medical follow up when you get home. --- my two cents worth...

Last night at a dinner party I ate one teaspoonful of carrot cake frosting. Sure it tasted wonderful. My my first BAD food decision since surgery five weeks ago. Today I have been craving and grazing all day. 'That's all I have to say about that'.

//Maybe you can shock your system with a couple of days of 1000 calories and then go back to your normal calories. I've done that and it works.// Ok, Sumsuz, I'm going to try your suggestion. Thank you very much. I'll try anything. I'll let y'all know how it works.

Ok, so on an intellectual level I get this and agree with the hundreds of people that have told me this, including my nut. Now to the HOWEVER, ...I lost 10 lbs during the pre-op diet and I am five weeks post op now and have only lost 5 more lbs and that was in the first 10 post op days. I have been at a standstill for almost four weeks. I am tracking everything that goes in my mouth and complying with the rules with no trouble at all: Prot: 60-70, Carbs less than 35, Water at least 64,walking 30 mins, calories are between 500-700/day. I'm a band conversion to VBG with a total of 55lbs to lost. (I'll make one of those cute tracking things when I figure out how). Any more thoughts out there on being STUCK?

Congratulations on reaching your goal. I know a lot of hard work went into your success. You are beautiful!

Ortiz speaks excellent English and has been doing bariatric surgery for over 15 years. My daughter and I were sleeved by him 5/14/13. We are both medical professionals and felt very comfortable before and after our surgical experience. We're both doing great. BTW, yes he does use a type of Dermabond.

I was also converted 5 weeks ago from an 11 year old band to a sleeve. I have exactly the same story but different doctor. I also asked my doc if he really did the surgery because I has no difficulty with clears, full liquids or mushies. Now that I can advance to most any foods (following the rules, of course) I can eat almost anything without getting a clear signal to stop until it's too late. Then I get those sort of very uncomfortable hiccup things and am pretty miserable for the next hour or so. My daughter was sleeved at the same time with a virgin stomach. She has had all the expected difficulties at each stage while learning to drink and eat again. At first, like you, I was disappointed but, now realize that I'll just have to stick to weighing and measuring my food to avoid going over my sleeves tolerance.